DER VAMPYRMarschner

CapriccioC5184

CD

Marschner’s 1828 hit is, along
with Hans Heiling, probably his
most remembered work. It’s
certainly worthy of revival, as
this 1999 recording shows it
to be a charming piece with
some effective orchestration,
particularly for woodwind, and
a more than passing resemblance
to Weber in its evocation of the
supernatural. Balanced against
the melodramatic high jinks
are scenes of a somewhat bucolic sentiment; all
in all it’s a great
piece of Romantic imagination. Helmuth Froschauer
conducts the
WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln in a pacey reading of
the score
that’s detailed and fresh. The cast is very
strong. Franz Hawlata is
a stentorian Lord Ruthven, the titular vampire,
but also has ability
to turn an elegant phrase. Likewise, the young
Jonas Kaufmann is
fresh-voiced as Edgar Aubry with the promise of
dramatic tone to
come (I know, it’s easy to be wise after the
event). Anke Hoffmann
sings both Janthe and Emmy, the two brides that
get it in the nuptial
neck, and Regina Klepper is Malvina, who
thankfully doesn’t –
their lyric sopranos are well-contrasted and
attractive.